Billecart-Salmon launches 2007 vintage

A new vintage cuvée has been released by Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Extra Brut 2007 is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir, sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and the Montagne de Reims, and 25% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay (from Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly and Vertus). It has a dosage of 4g/l.

The 2007 vintage was mixed, beginning with unusually high temperatures in April and early, but uneven, flowering. A cold, wet summer led to patchy ripening – with high humidity making rot a threat – though sunshine in late August meant that many houses harvested earlier than usual.

The cool summer is reflected in this Extra Brut style, making for a very dry, rather lean, palate – mineral and clean, with fresh citrus and a touch of salinity on the finish that would pair well with oysters. On the nose, freshly sliced lemon aromas are backed by hints of candied peel and marzipan.

Based in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Billecart-Salmon was established in 1818 and remains family-owned under sixth generation François and Antoine Roland-Billecart, with François Domi as chief winemaker. The maison controls 100 hectares (ha) of vineyards and works with growers across a further 120ha in 40 different crus.

About Author

Julie is managing editor of Imbibe and joined the team in 2006. She has written about drinks for the past 16 years in a varied career that includes treading grapes in the Douro and foraging for juniper in Northumberland. When she's not hanging out with the on-trade, Julie writes about food, drinks and travel for Time Out, Square Meal, Conde Nast Traveller, Waitrose Food Illustrated and Waitrose Drinks